Squash racquet grip and training aid

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a squash racquet handle grip comprising at least an external surface and an internal surface, wherein said external surface includes raised surface ridges, wherein said raised surfaces ridges define (a) a forefinger receiving recess for receiving an index finger of a user&#39;s hand, (b) a first position site for receiving a thumb of a user&#39;s hand, and (c) a second position site for receiving a middle finger of a user&#39;s hand; wherein said forefinger receiving recess is disposed on said external surface at an angle relative to both said first position site and said second position site; and wherein said grip is attachable to a squash racket handle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a grip for a squash racquet, moreparticularly, a flexible sleeve or grip designed to fit a squashracquet, where the sleeve includes imprinted indentations used to traina user to maintain an open-fist grip on the racquet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Squash is an indoor racquet sport. The game is played by two players (orfour players for doubles) with “standard” racquets in a four-walledcourt with a small, hollow rubber ball. “Standard” racquets are governedby the rules of the game. Traditionally, they were made of laminatedtimber (typically Ash), with a small strung area using natural gutstrings. Today, they are almost always made of composite materials ormetals (graphite, kevlar, titanium, and/or boron) with syntheticstrings. Modern racquets generally have maximum dimensions of 686 mm (27inches) long and 215 mm (8.5 inches) wide, with a maximum strung area ofapproximately 500 square centimetres (approximately 90 square inches).The maximum weight permitted is 255 grams (approximately 9 ounces) butmost generally weigh between 110 and 200 grams (4-7 ounces).

To properly grip a squash racquet, the player must maintain an “opengrip” or “open-fist” on the racquet. This grip is generallycounter-intuitive to novices and difficult to maintain. A novice playerwill instinctually grip the racquet with a clenched fist.Problematically, when using a clenched fist grip, the player will havelittle or no control in the fore-aft and side-side motions. Childrenoften do not have the hand strength to maintain an open-fist grip.Adults, many of whom take up squash after playing tennis, often revertto a closed or clenched fist grip even after explicit instruction. As aresult, a device especially designed to aid, assist, and train playersin maintaining an appropriate grip on a squash racquet is desired.

Professionals suggest that unless a player masters a proper grip on asquash racquet, all other technical training is ineffective. FIGS. 1Aand 1B illustrate this proper grip or hold on a squash racquet. Theproper squash grip position has two subtle features that allow a playerto have full control over the head of the racquet. First, the indexfinger should be extended in a somewhat longitudinal direction on theracquet handle, and positioned approximately a finger's width apart fromthe middle finger. When a player pushes on the racquet head in fore-aft,the player will feel the racquet motion resisted by the extended indexfinger. Second, the index finger and thumb should be positioned to forma “V” shape. One side of the V should be almost parallel with theracquet handle.

It is important to master this grip early on during squash training. Inother sports involving striking projectiles (e.g., tennis and golf)there exist a myriad of training tools and devices to assist noviceplayers in achieving a proper grip. Such devices are rare in squash. Assquash requires an open-fist grip, training aids and devices for tennisracquets are generally ineffective for this purpose.

There exists a number of U.S. patents directed to racquet grips,sleeves, and training aids, including U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,985, entitled“handle for sports equipment,” to Dahlstrom. The U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,985reference discloses a racquet handle for a racquet that includes groovesfor positioning a player's fingers in a position specifically adapted tothe stroke to be performed, and to increase the contact surface betweenthe player's fingers and the racquet handle while also assisting theplayer in teaming a correct grip and stroke. In one embodiment, threeindex finger grooves are provided. Each index finger groove correspondsto a position of the index finger during a different type of stroke,such as a forehand stroke, a volleying stroke, and a backhand stroke.The thumb groove is also positioned obliquely opposite and adjacent to amiddle finger groove to permit the thumb and middle finger to be incontact with one another to form a lock ring around the racquet handle.The disclosure of the U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,985 does not teach a squashracquet grip that in practice is usable to train a user to maintain anopen-fist grip on the racquet.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 7,160,216, entitled “Accessory for racquets,”to Failla Colonnello Seppi, teaches an accessory for a tennis racquet.The accessory has contact portion for user's hand, rigidly connected toa connecting rod, and designed to identify correct position of handwhile gripping racquet to perform strokes user's hand when changing thegrip from the grip used for forehand strokes to that used for backhandstrokes. However, the disclosure of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,160,216 does notteach a squash racquet grip that in practice is usable to train a userto maintain an open-fist grip on the racquet.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,916,260, entitled “Tennis racquet grip device,” toPoteet teaches a tennis racquet grip device for installation to a tennisracquet, including an obverse surface which conforms in shape to base ofthumb of gripping hand, and having felt handle orientation indicia todetermine the orientation of the head of the tennis racquet. Thedisclosure of the U.S. Pat. No. 6,916,260 does not teach a squashracquet grip that in practice is usable to train a user to maintain anopen-fist grip on the racquet.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,213,902, 6,106,418, 6,017,283 and 5,931,749, allentitled “Contoured grip for a racquet,” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,941,entitled “Hand grip for a racquet,” all to Hagey, teach a handleconfiguration for racquet, including a contour assembly having an upperprotrusion and a lower trigger on which racquet neck and handle stub arerespectively mounted. The disclosures refer to a racquet handle having acontoured topography providing unique configurations that increase theplayer's racquet head awareness and which may be manufactured as anassembly adjustable along the length of the handle which will aid inpositioning a player's hand in advantageous positions for strokeimprovement. The present invention does not use trigger mechanisms toposition the hand. Moreover, the disclosures of these patents do notteach a squash racquet grip that in practice is usable to train a userto maintain a open-fist grip on the racquet.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,091, entitled “Hand grip aid,” to McHugh, teaches ahand grip that fits in the user's hand near where the palm joins thefingers and provides a support to distribute the force from a hand-helddevice onto the entire hand. In one embodiment, the hand grip includesan elongated resilient member that has an undulated side to accommodatethe user's fingers. The member is placed adjacent to the user's fingersand superficial transverse metacarpal ligament. The member prevents theligament along with associated muscle and skin tissue, from being forcedover the fingers when the user grasps a handle. However, the disclosureof this patent does not teach a squash racquet grip that in practice isusable to train a user to maintain an open-fist grip on the racquet.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,092, entitled “Ergonomic handle,” to Theken, teachesa handle grip having undulating surfaces to provide a comfortable,non-slip interface with the user's hand, the handle having first andsecond concentric gripping ridges separated by gripping valleys from athumb ridge and each other, respectively. The valleys include aplurality of ovoid dimples to increase the surface of interface betweenthe user's fingers and the handle. The disclosure of this patent doesnot teach a squash racquet grip that in practice is usable to train auser to maintain an open-fist grip on the racquet.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,690, entitled “Racquet handle,” to Brown, teaches aracquet handle including a male protruding member away from handletowards neck having one or more indentations where the male memberreleasably engages one or more indentations. The racquet has asubstantially planar striking surface connected to one end of a neckwhere the other end of the neck is adjacent to a handle. The handle isrotatable relative to the planar striking surface about an axis to oneor more predetermined positions. One end of the handle comprises a malemember protruding away from the handle toward the neck and an end of theneck has one or more indentations, wherein the male member releasablyengages the one of the one or more indentations at one of the one ormore predetermined positions. The disclosure of this patent does notteach a squash racquet grip that in practice is usable to train a userto maintain an open-fist grip on the racquet.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,316, entitled “Tennis racquet handle,” to Lai,teaches a tennis racquet handle having an improved handle configurationwhich eliminates protruding points which may impact the hypothenareminence of the palm. The butt end of the handle has a cross-sectionalshape that is dis-similar to the cross-sectional shape of a middleportion of the handle, approximately 12 cm from the butt end. The buttend and middle portion are connected by a transition zone polyhedron hasa number of planar sides against which the hypothenar eminence may bearto eliminate the discomfort of the protruding points of the knownhandles. The disclosure of this patent does not teach a squash racquetgrip that in practice is usable to train a user to maintain an open-fistgrip on the racquet.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,685, entitled “Sports grip training device,” toRhodes, teaches a sports grip training device for teaching a participantthe proper positioning of his or her hands upon a sports implement. Thedevice includes an abutment member which is adapted to be secured to thehandle or grip of a sports implement with a predetermined angularorientation. When utilized with a golf club, the abutment member has aplanar abutment surface that is at a 45° angle with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the club's shaft. By positioning a golfer's upperhand in contact with the planar abutment surface, and completing thegrip with the lower hand, a golfer is able to learn the proper golf gripin a simple and efficient manner. The disclosure of this patent does notteach a squash racquet grip that in practice is usable to train a userto maintain an open-fist grip on the racquet.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,734, entitled “Grip locating apparatus for sportingarticle handle,” to Allsop, teaches a device for positioning a person'shand on the handle of a sporting article such as a tennis racquet, andincludes a projection which is intended to fit between the thumb andindex finger of a person's hand to locate the hand relative to saidarticle to provide a desired grip. The device also includes adjustmentmeans for radially adjusting the projection. The adjustment means may bea band capable of being tensioned and relaxed or a rotatable handle orhandle portion. The disclosure of this patent does not teach a squashracquet grip that in practice is usable to train a user to maintain anopen-fist grip on the racquet.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,058, entitled “Tennis racquet with fixed grip andmovable frame,” and U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,596, entitled “Tennis racquetwith angularly adjustable handle and fixed anatomic grip,” both toCarbonetti, discuss a tennis racquet having a frame part and a handlepart formed by a hub solid with the frame part, a movable tubular sleeverotationally and axially sliding on said hub, having an anatomic gripfor the gripping of the hand of the tennis player in order to vary theangular attitude of the frame with respect to the grip, to cause theframe to assume a plurality of angular attitudes with respect to it andaround its axis, said sleeve having an upper extremity proximal to theframe and a lower opposite extremity. The hub is of a circular sectionand said movable sleeve is provided at its lower extremity with atoothed crown profile. The sleeve can be rendered movable with respectto the hub by unmeshing the crown profiles and translating and turningthe sleeve against the action of a spring, whereas the meshing of thecrown profiles renders the sleeve and the hub integral with one anotherand wherein the sleeve is provided with holes and the grip is anchoredin said holes. The disclosures of these patents do not teach a squashracquet grip that in practice is usable to train a user to maintain anopen-fist grip on the racquet.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,746, entitled “Tennis racquet grip,” to Klink,teaches a grip formed for a tennis racquet handle to facilitate propergripping of the racquet for two handed backhand strokes of the tennisracquet by either a left-handed or a right-handed tennis player. Thegrip includes a body portion having longitudinally aligned first andsecond protuberance extending therefrom and spaced one from the other bya predetermined distance. A third protuberance also extends from thebody portion in radial alignment with the second protuberance and in adirection opposite thereto. An enlarged end section also extends fromthe body portion. The protuberances and enlarged section are disposed tofacilitate either one handed gripping of the racquet by either aleft-hand or a right-hand player as well as two handed backhand grippingby either a left-hand or a right-hand player. The disclosure of thispatent does not teach a squash racquet grip that in practice is usableto train a user to maintain an open-fist grip on the racquet.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,717,151, entitled “Grip for game racquets,” to DuBoisteaches a handle design for game racquets such as tennis, racquetball,etc. which handle is contoured to produce a more balanced use of the twomain groups of forearm flexors and the hand muscles so as to minimizetendonitis and bursitis in the elbow and shoulder of the user. Thehandle is contoured on three of its sides by providing concavities toaccommodate the region of the hand known as the hypothenar eminence andto accommodate the shorter second and fifth digits. The disclosure ofthis patent does not teach a squash racquet grip that in practice isusable to train a user to maintain an open-fist grip on the racquet.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,381, entitled “Grip for tennis racquet,” to Aarondiscloses a grip for a tennis racquet handle. A projection extends fromthe bottom of the handle to receive the forefinger both to place theforefinger and to provide a trigger for leverage in striking a ball. Theside of the handle has a curved ridge, the rearward edge of whichdefines a thumb recess and the forward edge of which defines a triggerfor a backhand grip. A knob rearwardly of the thumb recess defines therear of the recess without obstructing other gripping techniques. A buttridge provides a sufficient ridge to give the player a sure grip on theracquet. The grip may be symmetrical, so the same grip can be used forboth left-hand and right-hand gripping techniques. The disclosure ofthis patent does not teach a squash racquet grip that in practice isusable to train a user to maintain an open-fist grip on the racquet.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,599, entitled “Tennis racquet grip,” to Usher, Jr.,teaches a grip for a racquet for tennis which includes relatively flatfaces on one side for engagement with the thumb and fingers and arounded or elliptical face disposed on the opposite side of the gripfrom the flat faces for engagement with the palm of the hand. Corners atthe intersection of the flat faces provide control of the racquet whilethe rounded portion nestles in the palm for a secure gripping of theracquet to prevent rotation thereof. The same grip may be used eitherfor a forehand or backhand position and either for a left handed orright handed person, merely by inversion of the racquet. The disclosureof this patent does not teach a squash racquet grip that in practice isusable to train a user to maintain an open-fist grip on the racquet.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,710, entitled “Training tennis racquet,” toWilliams, teaches a training and playing tennis racquet having indiciaimmediately above the handle for orienting the player's hand grasp forvarious strokes including the forehand, backhand, service, overhead andvolley grips to aid the tennis player to position the appropriate gripreadily during training and playing without cumbersome structure. Thedisclosure of this patent does not teach a squash racquet grip that inpractice is usable to train a user to maintain an open-fist grip on theracquet.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,006,896, entitled “Tennis racquet,” to Soldavini,teaches a tennis racquet which includes strings, a frame holding thestrings in a common plane, a handle attached to the frame and markingindicia on the handle for insuring proper indexing between the commonplane and the player's hand which grips the handle. The marking indiciacomprises various combinations of finger grooves cut in the handlesurface, bumps or other surface irregularities sensitive to palpationand aligning marks cut into, raised from or painted on the handlesurface. The disclosure of this patent does not teach a squash racquetgrip that in practice is usable to train a user to maintain an open-fistgrip on the racquet.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,868,110, entitled “Tennis racquet grip,” to Jones,teaches a detachable grip for tennis racquet handles having finger andhand indentations accommodating different positions of the hand forforehand and backhand strokes. The disclosure of this patent does notteach a squash racquet grip that in practice is usable to train a userto maintain an open-fist grip on the racquet.

PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO9409864A1, entitled “Handle forsports equipment,” to Dahlstrom, teaches a racquet handle for ballsports having users fingers precisely positioned and fixed in groovesreducing force required to achieve firm grip. The invention relates to aracquet handle for ball sports, preferably for tennis, with which thefingers are precisely positioned and fixed in grooves, thereby enlargingthe contact surface, increasing the racquet retention friction, andfacilitating performance. The thumb groove is disposed obliquely to themiddle-finger groove so as to form a “locking ring”, thereby improvingthe strength of the grip by about 50%. When performing different typesof stroke, forehand, serve, volley and smash and backhand, the indexfinger is moved between respective grooves, all of which are located infront of the thumb groove. The disclosure of this publication does notteach a squash racquet grip that in practice is usable to train a userto maintain an open-fist grip on the racquet.

Therefore, a squash racquet usable to train a player to maintain anopen-fist grip on the racquet is desired.

Further, a lightweight, removable sleeve for the handle of a squashracquet featuring indentations formed to assist a player in maintaininga proper grip on a squash racquet is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a squash racquet grip ableto be united with a squash racket handle comprising: at least anexternal (or first) surface and an internal (or second) surface, whereinsaid external surface includes raised surface ridges, wherein saidraised surfaces ridges define (a) a forefinger receiving recess forreceiving an index finger of a user's hand, (b) a first position sitefor receiving a thumb of a user's hand, and (c) a second position sitefor receiving a middle finger of a user's hand; wherein said forefingerreceiving recess is disposed on said external surface at an anglerelative to both said first position site and said second position site;and wherein said grip further includes a central opening adapted toaccommodate said squash racket handle.

More particularly, the invention includes a squash racquet including aracquet head and a racquet handle, said racquet handle featuring ahandle grip disposed thereon, said handle grip comprising: at least anexternal surface, wherein said external surface includes at least tworaised surface ridges, wherein said at least two raised surfaces ridgesdefine (a) a forefinger receiving recess for receiving an index fingerof a user's hand, (b) a first position site for receiving a thumb of auser's hand, and (c) a second position site for receiving a middlefinger of a user's hand; wherein said forefinger receiving recess isdisposed on said external surface at an angle relative to both saidfirst position site and said second position site.

In another form, the invention includes a method for achieving a propersquash racquet grip position by a user. The method comprises the stepsof providing a squash racquet including a racquet head and a racquethandle, said racquet handle featuring a handle grip disposed thereon,said handle grip comprising: at least an external surface, wherein saidexternal surface includes raised surface ridges, wherein said raisedsurfaces ridges define (a) a forefinger receiving recess for receivingan index finger of a user's hand, (b) a first position site forreceiving a thumb of a user's hand, and (c) a second position site forreceiving a middle finger of a user's hand; wherein said forefingerreceiving recess is disposed on said external surface at an anglerelative to both said first position site and said second position site;gripping said racquet handle with a user's hand; placing an index fingerof said user upon or within said forefinger receiving recess; placing athumb of said user substantially at or near said first position site;placing a middle finger of a user's hand upon or within said secondposition site; wrapping a ring finger and pinky finger of a user's handaround said handle grip.

In another form, the invention includes a method for instructing ortraining a squash player or user to achieve a proper squash racquetgrip. The method comprises the steps of providing a squash racquet tosaid user including a racquet head and a racquet handle, said racquethandle featuring a handle grip disposed thereon, said handle gripcomprising: at least an external surface, wherein said external surfaceincludes raised surface ridges, wherein said raised surfaces ridgesdefine (a) a forefinger receiving recess for receiving an index fingerof a user's hand, (b) a first position site for receiving a thumb of auser's hand, and (c) a second position site for receiving a middlefinger of a user's hand; wherein said forefinger receiving recess isdisposed on said external surface at an angle relative to both saidfirst position site and said second position site; instructing said userto grip said racquet handle with said user's hand; instructing said userto place an index finger of said user upon or within said forefingerreceiving recess; instructing said user to place a thumb of said usersubstantially at or near said first position site; instructing said userto place a middle finger of a user's hand upon or within said secondposition site; instructing said user to wrap remaining fingers of saiduser's hand around said handle grip.

An advantage of the present invention is that the device fulfills a needin the squash market, namely, providing a simple, lightweight, removabledevice that assists players in achieving and maintaining a proper holdon a squash racquet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is disclosed with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a first view of a grip and position of a user's hand on aconventional squash racquet;

FIG. 1B is a second view of a grip and position of a user's hand on aconventional squash racquet;

FIG. 2A is a view of a flat squash grip according to the presentinvention for the purpose of illustrating ridges;

FIG. 2B is a view of the squash grip training aid of FIG. 3 shown in asubstantially tubular or sleeve formation;

FIG. 2C is a view of the squash grip training aid formed on a squashracquet handle;

FIG. 3 is a view of a squash racquet featuring the squash grip device ofthe present invention gripped by a user's hand;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram schematically illustrating a method ofinstructing a user technique for using the squash grip of the presentinvention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The examples set out herein illustrateseveral embodiments of the invention but should not be construed aslimiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1A, there is shown a first view of a proper“open-fist” grip and position of a user's hand 110 on a conventionalsquash racquet 100. The index or forefinger 120 of the user's hand 110should be extended in a somewhat longitudinal direction on the racquethandle, and positioned approximately a finger's width apart 130 frommiddle finger 140. In use, when a user pushes on the racquet 100 in afore-aft motion, the user will feel the racquet motion resisted by theextended forefinger 120. It will be understood by one skilled in the artthat while the figures illustrate an embodiment suited for aright-handed user, the invention described herein may be adapted for useby left-handed users (not illustrated).

Referring to FIG. 1B, there is shown a second view of a proper“open-fist” grip and position of a user's hand 110 on a squash racquet100. The forefinger 120 and thumb 150 should be positioned at an anglerelative to one another to form a “V” shape 160.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, there is shown both a flat view 200 andtubular sleeve view 210 of a squash racquet grip according to oneembodiment of the present invention. It is contemplated that thedisclosed handle grip configurations can be formed as a tubular elementor sleeve 210 to slip over the end of an existing squash racquet handlestructure, as illustrated in FIG. 2B. This is also known in the art asan “overgrip.” The sleeve 210 has an external surface 220 and aninternal surface 230. The external surface 220 includes raised surfaceridges or contours 240, wherein the raised surface ridges 240 define (a)a forefinger receiving recess or valley 250 for receiving a forefingerof a user's hand, (b) a first position site 260 for receiving a thumb ofa user's hand, and (c) a second position site 270 for receiving a middlefinger of a user's hand. The forefinger receiving recess or valley 250is disposed on said external surface in a direction at an angle relativeto both said first position site 260 and said second position site 270.The degree of the angle should be determined such that when the grip isin use, the forefinger and thumb of a user's hand generally form a “V”shape 160 as illustrated in FIG. 1B. Further, one of the raised surfaceridges or contours 240 is positioned such that in use, the forefingerand middle finger of a user's hand are separated from one another byapproximately one finger width 130. The external surface may furtherinclude a texture, such as perforations or a honeycomb configuration.

The internal surface 230 of the grip may define an opening adapted toaccommodate a squash racquet handle. The grip 210 could be mounted overhandle structures having a variety of shapes. In each case, when asleeve 210 is used, the internal surface 230 of the sleeve is preferablyshaped to closely match the exterior configuration of the handlestructure on which it is mounted. If the internal surface 230 of thehandle grip 210 does not conform exactly to the shape of the surface onwhich the grip 210 is mounted, it should at least fit snugly enough tolimit relative movement between the two structures.

Alternatively, the grip may be integrally formed on a racquet by moldingor otherwise shaping the racquet material itself, as illustrated in FIG.2C. For example, if the racquet has a wood frame, the handle grip can beformed by shaping the wooden stem portion of the racquet into one of thedisclosed configurations. Modern day squash racquet handles, however,are usually formed in tubular plastic mounted over an inner handleshaft. In such an embodiment, the plastic of the handle shaft may bemolded in the above described configuration. For example, in theembodiment shown in FIG. 2C, a squash racquet is shown. Squash racquet100 includes a racquet head 280 and a racquet handle and shaft 290. Theracquet handle further includes an external surface 220, wherein saidexternal surface includes raised surface ridges or contours 240, whereinsaid raised surfaces ridges define (a) a forefinger receiving recess 250for receiving a forefinger of a user's hand, (b) a first position site260 for receiving a thumb of a user's hand, and (c) a second positionsite 270 for receiving a middle finger of a user's hand. As discussedabove, the forefinger receiving recess 250 is disposed on said externalsurface 220 in a direction at an angle relative to both said firstposition site 260 and said second position site 270.

The squash racquet grip 200 of the present invention may be made of anymaterial known to one skilled in the art. For example, it may be formedas a structure from molded plastics, elastomeric substances, fabrics, orthe like. The handle grip may further be created or molded separately oftwo or more different contoured pieces, or multiple layers comprisingone or more materials. For example, the grip may be fashioned bylayering a contoured plastic material including the configurationdescribed above over an absorbent material or a cushioning material orthe like. The pieces can then be connected into a final assembly.

In use, a player places his hand on the squash racquet grip describedabove. He places his forefinger substantially upon or within saidforefinger receiving recess, places his thumb substantially upon saidfirst position site, places his middle finger substantially upon saidsecond position site, and wraps his remaining fingers around said handleshaft. It will be understood to one skilled in the art that the specificorder in which the user places his forefinger, middle finger, and thumbis not essential.

In teaching the game of squash, one must instruct the student in theproper gripping technique for the racquet. In attempting to describe aparticular technique, the instructor must attempt to describe variousportions of the hand, and make reference to portions of the racquethandle. In both cases it is difficult to be completely specific, and ademonstration necessarily makes up a good portion of the instruction.While the demonstration is adequate during a lesson, the student mayforget the demonstration when the student is practicing without theinstructor, and the verbal communication may be the only recollection.At this point, the lack of specificity in the verbal instruction maycause errors in the student's practice. To solve this problem, thepresent invention further contemplates a squash racquet handle, or grip,that will at least indicate to the student how the racket is to be held,and preferably to require the racquet to be held in a certain manner.

A method 400 for training a squash racquet user to grip a squash racquethandle is illustrated in FIG. 4. The method 400 comprises the steps ofproviding a squash racquet to said user 410 including a racquet head anda racquet handle, said racquet handle featuring a handle grip disposedthereon, said handle grip configured as described above. The user isthen instructed to place his forefinger substantially upon or at saidforefinger receiving recess or valley 420. Thereafter, the user isinstructed to place his thumb of said user substantially upon or at saidfirst position site 430, his middle finger substantially upon saidsecond position site 440; and finally wrapping remaining fingers aroundsaid handle 450. As discussed above, it will be understood to oneskilled in the art that the specific order in which the user places hisforefinger, middle finger, and thumb is not essential.

While the invention has been described with reference to particularembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from thescope of the invention.

Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to theparticular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated forcarrying out this invention, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

1. A squash racquet grip adapted to accommodate a squash racket handlecomprising: a tubular sleeve, said sleeve having at least an externalsurface and an internal surface, wherein said external surface includesat least two raised surface ridges, wherein said at least two raisedsurfaces ridges define (a) a forefinger receiving recess for receiving aforefinger of a user's hand, (b) a first position site for receiving athumb of a user's hand, and (c) a second position site for receiving amiddle finger of a user's hand; wherein said forefinger receiving recessis disposed on said external surface at an angle relative to both saidfirst position site and said second position site; and wherein saidinternal surface defines an opening adapted to accommodate said squashracquet handle.
 2. The squash racquet grip of claim 1, wherein saidinternal surface is shaped to approximate an exterior configuration ofsaid squash racket handle.
 3. The squash racquet grip of claim 1,further comprising an elastomer compound.
 4. The squash racquet grip ofclaim 1, further comprising a molded plastic.
 5. The squash racquet gripof claim 1, wherein said grip has a unitary structure.
 6. The squashracquet grip of claim 1, wherein said grip is formed of one or morelayers.
 7. The squash racquet grip of claim 1, wherein said externalsurface further comprises a texture.
 8. The squash racquet grip of claim7, wherein said texture includes perforations.
 9. The squash racquetgrip of claim 7, wherein said texture includes a honeycomb.
 10. A squashracquet including a racquet head and a racquet handle, said racquethandle featuring a handle grip disposed thereon, said handle gripcomprising: an external surface, wherein said external surface includesat least two raised surface ridges, wherein said at least two raisedsurfaces ridges define (a) a forefinger receiving recess for receiving aforefinger of a user's hand, (b) a first position site for receiving athumb of a user's hand, and (c) a second position site for receiving amiddle finger of a user's hand; and wherein said forefinger receivingrecess is disposed on said external surface at an angle relative to bothsaid first position site and said second position site.
 11. The squashracquet grip of claim 10, further comprising an elastomer compound. 12.The squash racquet grip of claim 10, further comprising a moldedplastic.
 13. The squash racquet grip of claim 10, wherein said grip hasa unitary structure.
 14. The squash racquet grip of claim 10, whereinsaid grip is formed of one or more layers.
 15. The squash racquet gripof claim 10, wherein said external surface further comprises a texture.16. A squash racquet grip comprising: a first surface and a secondsurface, wherein said first surface includes at least two raised surfaceridges, wherein said at least two raised surfaces ridges define (a) aforefinger receiving recess for receiving a forefinger of a user's hand,(b) a first position site for receiving a thumb of a user's hand, and(c) a second position site for receiving a middle finger of a user'shand; wherein said forefinger receiving recess is disposed on said firstsurface at an angle relative to both said first position site and saidsecond position site; wherein said second surface is attachable to asquash racquet handle.
 17. A method for positioning a user's hand on asquash racquet comprising the steps of: providing a squash racquetincluding a racquet head and a racquet handle, said racquet handlefeaturing a handle grip disposed thereon, said handle grip including anexternal surface, wherein said external surface includes at least tworaised surface ridges, wherein said at least two raised surfaces ridgesdefine (a) a forefinger receiving recess for receiving a forefinger of auser's hand, (b) a first position site for receiving a thumb of a user'shand, and (c) a second position site for receiving a middle finger of auser's hand; wherein said forefinger receiving recess is disposed onsaid external surface at an angle relative to both said first positionsite and said second position site; placing a forefinger of said usersubstantially upon said forefinger receiving recess; placing a thumb ofsaid user substantially upon said first position site; placing a middlefinger of a user substantially upon said second position site; andwrapping remaining fingers of said user's hand around said handle.
 18. Amethod for training a squash racquet user to grip a squash racquethandle comprising the steps of: providing a squash racquet to said userincluding a racquet head and a racquet handle, said racquet handlefeaturing a handle grip disposed thereon, said handle grip including anexternal surface, wherein said external surface includes at least tworaised surface ridges, wherein said at least two raised surfaces ridgesdefine (a) a forefinger receiving recess for receiving a forefinger of auser's hand, (b) a first position site for receiving a thumb of a user'shand, and (c) a second position site for receiving a middle finger of auser's hand; wherein said forefinger receiving recess is disposed onsaid external surface at an angle relative to both said first positionsite and said second position site; instructing said user to place aforefinger of said user substantially upon said forefinger receivingrecess; instructing said user to place a thumb of said usersubstantially upon said first position site; instructing said user toplace a middle finger of said user substantially upon said secondposition site; and instructing said user to wrap remaining fingersaround said handle.